Rituximab is a standard treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The SABRINA trial NCT01200758 showed that a subcutaneous SC rituximab formulation did not compromise efficacy or safety compared with intravenous IV infusion. We aimed to quantify active healthcare professional HCP time and patient chair time for rituximab SC and IV, including potential time savings.

Methods

This non-interventional time and motion study was run in eight countries and 30 day oncology units. Rituximab SC data were collected alongside the MabCute trial NCT01461928; IV data were collected per routine real-world practice. Trained observers recorded active HCP time for pre-specified tasks stopwatch and chair time time of day. A random intercept model was used to analyze active HCP time by task and for all tasks combined in the treatment room and drug preparation area, drug administration duration, chair time and patient treatment room time by country and-or across countries. Active HCP and chair time were extrapolated to a patient’s first year of treatment 11 rituximab sessions.

Results

Mean active HCP time was 35.0 and 23.7 minutes for IV and SC process, respectively -32%, p <0.0001. By country, relative reduction in time was 27–58%. Absolute reduction in extrapolated active HCP time first year of treatment was 1.1–5.2 hours. Mean chair time was 262.1 minutes for IV, including 180.9 minutes infusion duration, vs. 67.3 minutes for SC, including 8.3 minutes SC injection administration -74%, p <0.0001. By country, relative reduction was 53–91%. Absolute reduction in extrapolated chair time for the first year of treatment was 3.1–5.5 eight-hour days.

Conclusions

Compared with rituximab IV, rituximab SC was associated with reduced chair time and active HCP time. The latter could be invested in other activities, whereas the former may lead to more available appointments, reducing waiting lists and increasing the efficiency of day oncology units.